Windows 11 File Explorer Right-click Menu was changed to include icons

Anonymous
2021-12-06T15:53:47+00:00

Who did this and why do they do it (see picture below)? The File Explorer right-click menu has had the options: Cut, Copy, Paste, Rename, Delete listed (as words) in this menu FOREVER and now some genius decided that after all these years, Windows users are too dumb to read. The words were replaced with icons. THIS IS SO ANNOYING. THE MUSCLE MEMORY IN MY HANDS IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO RETRAIN AFTER YEARS OF THE MENU BEING THE SAME WAY. Now I have to stop and think about something that I've done instinctively for years. I can get to the ORIGINAL right-click menu by selecting "Show More Options," shown in the photo below, but WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO, THAT'S AN EXTRA STEP? If I am intelligent enough to boot up a computer, then certainly I can read the words: Cut, Copy, Paste, Rename and Delete. I don't need you to create icons to represent those functions. IF IT'S NOT BROKEN THEN DON'T TRY TO FIX IT. STOP DUMBING DOWN THE SOFTWARE AND MAKING THINGS HARDER PLEASE.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-08-27T15:58:21+00:00

    I did find a fix for this - I tested and it works:

    https://www.pcgamer.com/windows-11-context-menu-fix-right-click/

    Do you have a link or screenshot of how to do this that isn't pcgamer.com.

    Org doesn't like that website and has it blocked. Thanks.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-09-15T22:02:53+00:00

    Didn't work for me - still the annoying icons

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-09-16T11:56:25+00:00

    I kicked off this discussion about 18 months ago, and have probably lost tract of where it is now. However, if your issue is wanting the pre-Windows 11 response when right-mouse clicking on Windows Explorer, you could try this link which certainly works for me:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/restore-old-right-click-context-menu-in-windows-11/a62e797c-eaf3-411b-aeec-e460e6e5a82a

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-09-30T20:56:37+00:00

    I'm so thrilled. My computer guru and I went to the PC Gamer link you provided and followed the instructions. It worked !! It does require a registry edit, which I now know is NOT safe unless you are COMPUTER SAVVY. I'm not but my guru is. THANK YOU.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-10-20T08:19:53+00:00

    I could not agree more agree with below feedback. But there is another BIG annoying thing in windows explorer: the most used icons such as cut/paste, rename, delete do not appear on my standard lap top screen. These icons in the pop up are not visible when you have your windows action bar showing in the bottom of your lap top screen. How ignorant do you have to be at windows to not have seen this mishap?

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